The origins of the Ferebain surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name originated with an early member who was a person with attractive, youthful looks, or someone who was noted as having been a beautiful child. The surname Ferebain is derived from the Old English words fair, which means lovely, and bearn, which means child. However, the name Ferebain may also be a local surname applied to someone from the settlement of Fairbourne in Kent or Fairburn in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In this case, Ferebain belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxonhabitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Ferebain family

The surname Ferebain was first found in North Yorkshire at Fairburn, a small village and civil parish in the Selby district that dates back to before the Domesday Book when it was listed as Fareburne c. 1030. A few years later in 1086, the Domesday Book lists the placename as Fareburne [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) and literally meant "stream where ferns grow," having derived from the Old English fearn + burna. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)

Early History of the Ferebain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferebain research.Another 331 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1327, 1644 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Ferebain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferebain Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Ferebain has been recorded under many different variations, including Fairbairn, Fairbairns, Fairbarn, Fairborn, Fairborne and many more.

Early Notables of the Ferebain family (pre 1700)

Another 22 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferebain Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ferebain family to the New World and Oceana

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Ferebain or a variant listed above: Robert Fairbarn landed in 1763. William Fairbarn joined many of his fellow Fairbarns when he purchased land in Philadelphia in 1835.

The Ferebain Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.